England's extensive research reveals that engaging with heritage significantly improves one's mental health and overall wellbeing.
In a groundbreaking study, Historic England has unveiled the significant economic impact of heritage on people's quality of life. The research, titled "Heritage Capital and Wellbeing: Examining the Relationship Between Heritage Density and Life Satisfaction," was launched today at The Wellbeing and Heritage Conference in Northampton [1].
According to the report, everyday local heritage—measured by heritage density—contributes positively to people's life satisfaction. Areas with a higher concentration of cultural heritage tend to experience enhanced well-being among residents, partly due to increased economic gains connected to heritage transmission and sustainable local development [1].
The study, guided by HM Treasury's Green Book, demonstrates that heritage is not just a nice-to-have, but has significant, measurable impacts on wellbeing. It uses economic techniques to show the value of heritage, providing compelling evidence that supports the importance of conservation efforts made by volunteers, community groups, and the heritage sector to protect historic places [1].
The research investigates the impacts of various types of heritage, including listed buildings, scheduled monuments, protected wrecks, registered parks and gardens, battlefields, and world heritage sites. Interestingly, it finds that Grade II listed buildings, which comprise 92% of England's historic places on the National Heritage List for England, are the main drivers of life satisfaction increases [1].
Adala Leeson, head of social and economic research at Historic England, emphasized the value of heritage, stating that the research demonstrates heritage's significant, measurable impacts on overall wellbeing. Lord Neil Mendoza, chairman of Historic England, further explained that this research is the first to quantify the wellbeing value of the mere existence of heritage, whether or not people participate in heritage activities [1].
The research suggests that being close to a wealth of everyday heritage, rather than experiencing rare, exceptional historic places, is responsible for increasing higher life satisfaction. This finding underscores the importance of preserving and promoting local heritage in regional development strategies that prioritize both cultural conservation and community well-being [1].
The public body has published this first-of-its-kind research report as part of a series of economic research projects produced by Historic England, funded by the DCMS Culture and Heritage Capital Programme [1]. This study marks a significant step forward in understanding the economic benefits of heritage and its role in improving people's quality of life.
[1] Adapted from the provided bullet points.
- The significance of the regeneration of local communities through increased civic engagement in the preservation and promotion of everyday heritage has been highlighted in the research, demonstrating its positive impact on mental health and overall health-and-wellness.
- The study further emphasizes the positive influence of environmental-science on local communities, with the presence of a wealth of heritage contributing to enhanced well-being, as shown by the heightened life satisfaction among residents of areas with a higher concentration of cultural assets.
- As a result of this research, it is evident that the conservation efforts made by volunteers, community groups, and the heritage sector in safeguarding historical places have far-reaching implications, providing substantial economic benefits and enhancing the well-being of the community, as measurable by the density of heritage in a given area.
